The three institutions intend to work together towards the goal of fostering a world-class collaborative institute, which will be called Joint Institute for Mobile Innovations (JIMI).

The University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IBM and Makerere University (Uganda) to establish a cooperative relationship in the area of Mobile Innovations. Viterbi School Senior Associate Dean Timothy Pinkston and Jonathan Samet, Director of the USC Institute for Global Health went to Uganda met with the President of Uganda, the Speaker of Parliament, the Director of the World Health Organization in Uganda, and the Inspector General of the Police, Kampala.

Tim Pinkston, second from left, with IBM's Sandra Johnson immediately to his left, and Jon Samet of the USC Institute for Global Health and Uganda Parliament Speaker Edward Ssekandi Kiwanuka to his right. Idris Rai of Makerere University is second to the right in the back row.

USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering has experience in both research and education in mobile applications, noted the announcement from the African school. IBM is a world-leading company with strong reputation for successful scientific research leading to commercial applications, products and services which are deployed globally. This research initiative will bolster MAK’s mission to be the leading institution for academic excellence and innovations in Africa.

The three institutions intend to work together towards the goal of fostering a world-class collaborative institute, which will be called Joint Institute for Mobile Innovations (JIMI).

JIMI will focus on contributing to the development of advanced research and educational environment in mobile innovations, utilizing leading edge and advanced computing technologies. The partners will benefit immensely through fostering a culture of innovation in their respective countries and by creating skills to support the development of a global knowledge-based economy

The focus areas will include but not be limited to research and joint publications, exchange of visiting scholars and students, joint education initiatives, seminars and workshops in mobile technologies/

Mobile technologies are the most relevant ICT technologies in most of developing countries. The joint institute therefore is expected to serve the research and developmental needs of mobile technologies not only in Uganda but also the whole region.